The water companies have agreed to fund a national campaign to raise awareness in the non-household sector ahead of the market opening to competition in April 2017, according to the latest update from Ofwat.
A total of 13 bona fide retailers are now in place ahead of the opening of the non-household market to competition in April 2017, according to the update from Ofwat.
Adam Cooper, Director of Retail Market Opening at Ofwat, described the current position as "testament to the increasing levels of confidence we are seeing in the market."
Much of the focus is now on raising awareness of the market for customers. The Open Water partners are working in collaboration with Water UK - water company members have agreed to fund a national awareness campaign as part of a wide ranging communications and PR plan.
Cooper said an agency is being appointed to run the campaign and the water companies will already be using the brand guidelines and toolkit sent out to them last month to help support customer engagement in market opening.
Ofwat to consult on Code of Conduct for Third Party Intermediaries
Ofwat recently also held a workshop with Third Party Intermediaries (TPIs) to share thinking on their role in the market and sought further views on the TPI market in general.
Potential regulatory options for providing customer protection in relation to TPIs in the new business retail water market were also discussed. Ofwat is planning to launch a consultation before the end of the year on its proposals for a voluntary code of conduct for Third Party Intermediaries.
The regulator is also planning to consult early in the New Year on Market Monitoring - Adam Cooper said:
"Understanding the baseline of the existing service levels is important when we think about the new competitive arena."
An Open Water stakeholder event on the 7th December will bring customer trade and membership associations up to date on market opening –a wide range of bodies representing micro and SMEs have been invited to attend.
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